Clippers Vs. TWolves Official Game Thread 2013-12-22

Timberwolves-Clippers Preview
By NICOLINO DIBENEDETTO
Posted Dec 22 2013 2:49AM
Success from beyond the arc tends to have the Los Angeles Clippers feeling rather merry.
A meeting with the Minnesota Timberwolves may just keep it that way heading into Christmas.
The Clippers look to build on another impressive performance from long range as they attempt to beat the Timberwolves for the eighth straight time Sunday night.
Los Angeles (19-9) is shooting 33.7 percent from 3-point range on the season, but has made 41.5 percent while averaging 112.0 points during a season high-tying four-game winning streak. The Clippers, who face Golden State on Christmas, have connected on....

the wolves tend to start real hot. if I'm not mistaken they rank high among all teams in points scored in the first quarter. I'm not sure what's going on with that team but with a roster of Love, Rubio, Barrea, and Martin that should be a playoff bound team.

Voyeur

12/22/2013 - 10:51 AM PST

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I would say Rubio and Pekovic are good defenders, but otherwise the team seems to be of the philosophy that the key to good defense is great offense. Break a teams spirit by shooting lights out in the first quarter and half. If teams can weather that storm, they can beat the T Wolves.

what_up_clipnation83

12/22/2013 - 01:00 PM PST

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I don't know if we win this game on a back to back..... i hope we do, but I don't know

CapsNClips

12/22/2013 - 01:05 PM PST

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Our defense will be given a run for their money that's for sure.

I think we will see a lot of Blake-to-DeAndre lobs this game because Minny doesn't have the height to contest them.

Icecoldclipper

12/22/2013 - 01:12 PM PST

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Suspecting huge game from Paul I hope someone tells him Lillard or Parker is the best PG. Blake and DJ have to focus on defense.

Voyeur

12/22/2013 - 01:21 PM PST

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This one might be tough. T Wolves don't want to fall any further below .500. K Love knows he's been outplayed by BG and his team has lost both times so far. Love is out of his mini slump. They've had a little rest and didn't have to travel between games.

On the other hand, you know BG is hearing all the talk about Love being the best PF in the league. The ESPN panel a couple of days ago suggested (as did the guest on the Questionable Blogger) that were the two players traded, Love would help the Clippers win more games and Blake apparently wouldn't help the T Wolves at all. That crap would motivate me.

gman

12/22/2013 - 02:11 PM PST

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This one might be tough. T Wolves don't want to fall any further below .500. K Love knows he's been outplayed by BG and his team has lost both times so far. Love is out of his mini slump. They've had a little rest and didn't have to travel between games.
On the other hand, you know BG is hearing all the talk about Love being the best PF in the league. The ESPN panel a couple of days ago suggested (as did the guest on the Questionable Blogger) that were the two players traded, Love would help the Clippers win....

But, but, but,you guys,everyone in the media and America KNOWS that Kevin Love is the 2nd coming and is unstoppable. Just ask the idiots stuffing his ballot for the AS game.

I am so so so so so so so so so so tired of hearing about the greatness of Kevin Love. Blake needs to take him down a few rungs.

2nd unit got a lot of the heavy lifting in the 2nd half last night. I suspect our starters will not be too tired to send the wolves back to the woods.

BTW,I don't know how many of you go to the games but you know how they have the Chumash shoot for cash where someone has to shoot a lot of almost 3 pointers and gets 500 bucks for each shot made? Last night is the first time I can recall someone not making a single basket and walked away with nothing.

Voyeur

12/22/2013 - 02:22 PM PST

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Oh I agree. To grab 16 rebounds WHILE playing the kind of D Blake played last night was amazing. Admittedly, I haven't seen as many T Wolves games but I've NEVER seen Love play close to that kind of defense. I don't mean to keep slamming Love. Love has ridiculous offensive skills...but he's been given the green light to rest a bit on defense as long as he keeps concentrating on the glass.

Watch Love have his best defensive performance tonight. lol

Kingkanyon

12/22/2013 - 02:23 PM PST

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Since J.J. Redick is a supposed better defender than Crawford, I wonder if Crawford can hold him under 28 points, because he's lit us up for 30 and 28 all ready this year.

gman

12/22/2013 - 02:34 PM PST

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I do not want to slam him either. I just want the media to recognize the fact that if you are the best of anything, you play an all around game.

LBJ is the best player in the world and he does it all.

CP is the best PG because he does it all. There are better scorers or better defenders but not all together.

Hopefully BG continues his rampage tonight.

Voyeur

12/22/2013 - 02:38 PM PST

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By the way, I know Blake's not perfect on defense...but with Doc coaching, Blake could really be a special defensive player in years to come. IF we don't jump the gun and trade Blake (as some "experts" suggest) and Doc's able to cultivate his young guys. Blake's still a young guy. He's known as a hard worker. He seems to want to be a better all around player. And we see he's gotten better defensively ever year.

If BG wanted to, he could have kept playing like he did as a rookie. Taking the ball for himself. Relaxing on defense in favor of grabbing rebounds. Stuffing stat sheets every night.

Instead, he's improved his defense (even before Doc) even at the expense of his rebounding. He's taken more jumpers when his instinct is probably to go inside. He's sacrificed (some might say too much) some of his own numbers for the team.

But Doc has come at the right time for Blake. Doc has a defensive system that BG seems to understand and is getting better at executing. The more a guy like Blake practices, the more he will be able to master it. With his hustle and athleticism, he and DJ have potential to be the best defensive duo for years to come.

That's a whole lot better than having a guy who spends years NOT playing defense, then asking him to start in his 30's.

By the way, I can't say enough how impressed I am with Blake and DJ's screens. They are being patient with them and really doing the job.

Voyeur

12/22/2013 - 02:48 PM PST

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By "him" I take it you mean Kevin Martin?

Yeah, Martin scorched JJ (and Crawford, btw) in both games. They weren't exactly all uncontested. Martin's good and scorched a lot of players this year. Stop pretending JJ isn't a better defender than JC.

The good news is Crawford has had 2 good games against the T Wolves. Hope he has another one tonight.

gman

12/22/2013 - 02:58 PM PST

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Is there still time to go get Q Ross??

It needs to be a collective effort. His goofy looking shot is money when left alone. Also, can not foul him.

Kingkanyon

12/22/2013 - 03:01 PM PST

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I'm just messing with you, Specifically you, but I'd don't believe J.J is better or worse than Crawford on D, they're both pretty average, except Jamal does force more turnover's. Also Martin scored most of those points on J.J., Crawford Played mainly the SF position during those game, and I just have the image of Martin hitting shots over Redick like he wasn't even there.

ClipperPostman

12/22/2013 - 03:15 PM PST

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Blake just needs to posterize Love. Like nuts in the face posterize... To end all

this Love vs Blake crazy talk.

Love plays with a garbage team who can't score. He has a big center

who can't rebound. If blake played for Twolves he would have 30-15.

Love has a good set of offensive skills no denying that. But If I wanted

offensive skills personally I'd take Lamarcus Aldridge over love.

Laak

12/22/2013 - 03:30 PM PST

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Agree with postman, playing on a garbage team does improve Love's stats by a lot.

However, I'd still take Love over Blake now. Love's skills are more polished, but Blake's got way more potential and definitely showing improvement this year..

cleepers

12/22/2013 - 04:00 PM PST

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In Love's tenure with Minny, they've replaced the GM, hired a HOF coach, rebuilt the roster god knows how many times and he's still never even sniffed the playoffs.

At some point, the talking heads will stop making excuses for him.

ClipperPostman

12/22/2013 - 05:27 PM PST

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I'll take insane athleticism from a PF than a 3 point shooter. Blake can change the momentum of a game instantly.

Not to mention what type of fan would say they would trade their franchise player? Is this a new thing?

I doubt back in the day a detroit fan would ever say they would trade for Michael Jordan. I dunno. No loyalty these days.

jarca

12/22/2013 - 05:46 PM PST

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Blake all the way!

BennyBeFly

12/22/2013 - 06:29 PM PST

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Woo I'm coming back home for the holidays from the bay area today. What is it that I must do when I go back home this time of year? Go to Staples and watch a Clipper game! This will be my first time sitting in the 100's. I can't wait!

Voyeur

12/22/2013 - 07:10 PM PST

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Wait...it's at 9:30? Damn. Our team didn't even get 24 hours to prepare.

Silasie

12/22/2013 - 07:17 PM PST

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The Clips are that good they can even do it on 23

Voyeur

12/22/2013 - 07:18 PM PST

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Hope so! LET'S DO THIS!

Laak

12/22/2013 - 07:20 PM PST

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Though they're all different players, but this is like comparing Jabari Parker (already highly skilled) and Wiggins (raw but huge potential).